2013-14 Course Descriptions

GERO - Gerontology School of Social Work (CEHS)

GERO 350 Sociology of Aging (3-0-3), spring. An overview of the research and literature related to the demographic, social, and cultural aspects of aging in the United States and in other cultures. Same as SOCI 350.GERO 352 Adult Development and Aging (3-0-3), fall. Introduces the student to the study of adult development and aging, the emerging science of human aging, by taking a topical approach to each aspect of development including physical, cognitive, social, and personality in relation to periods of adult life span. Emphasis will be given to late adulthood. Prerequisite: junior standing. GERO 441 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3-0-3), fall. A descriptive and analytical study of social welfare programs and policies; examination of the relationship between social work and other aspects of the U.S. social welfare system noting overall impact on social problems. A writing-intensive course. Same as SOCW 441/541.GERO 437 Ministry with Older Adults (3-0-3), on demand. Course will cover demographics of the aging community, analyze programs for serving the older member, and show how to utilize the talents of mature church members. Same as BIBM 437.GERO 448 Biology of Aging (3-0-3), summer. Survey of the human anatomy and physiology with implications of normal and abnormal age related changes. Same as BIOL 448.GERO 454 Aging and the Family (3-0-3), spring, even years. Problems of aging in the family as related to interpersonal relationships, nutrition, and near environmental needs of the elderly in maintaining personal independence.GERO 460 Ethics and Social Issues (3-0-3), fall, spring. An attempt to help students reach a higher critical and reflective consciousness of the relationship of ethics to professional and business decision making and problem solving. Same as SOCI 560.GERO 461 Nursing Facility Organization and Environmental Management (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of organizational and environmental management principles suggested by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with two of the seven academic domains specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: junior standing.GERO 462 Nursing Facility Financial and Personnel Management (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of financial personnel management principles required by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with approximately 33% of the academic material specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: GERO 461.GERO 463 Regulatory and Resident Management in a Nursing Facility (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of regulatory and resident care management suggested by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with approximately 33% of the academic material specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: GERO 462.GERO 479 Programs and Services for Elderly (3-0-3), spring. Health care delivery system, aging networks, delivery of care, communication disorders in the elderly. Same as COMP 479.GERO 486 Counseling Older Adults and Their Families (3-0-3), on demand. Examines the process of counseling older adults and their families regarding a variety of issues facing aging families. Utilization of a systemic framework will be fundamental in addressing a variety of presenting problems uniquely viewed in the context of aging. Theoretical frameworks are provided for assessing problems of the elderly as well as models for developing intervention strategies.GERO 495 Practicum in Gerontology (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. Supervised work experience with an agency or organization serving older adults. The practicum practice placement will be consistent with academic and career goals for the student and will be designed to give face-to-face client exposure.GERO 541 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3-0-3), fall. A descriptive and analytical study of social welfare programs and policies; examination of the relationship between social work and other aspects of the U.S. social welfare system noting overall impact on social problems. A writing-intensive course. Same as SOCW 441/541.GERO 548 Biology of Aging (3-0-3), summer. Survey of the human anatomy and physiology with implications of normal and abnormal age related changes. Same as BIOL 448.GERO 550 Sociology of Aging (3-0-3), spring. An overview of the research and literature related to the demographic, social and cultural aspects of aging in the United States and in other cultures. Same as SOCI 550.GERO 552 Adult Development and Aging (3-0-3), fall. Introduces the student to the study of adult development and aging, the emerging science of human aging, by taking a topical approach to each aspect of development including physical, cognitive, social, and personality in relation to periods of adult life span. Emphasis will be given to late adulthood.GERO 554 Aging and the Family (3-0-3), spring, even years. Problems of aging in the family as related to interpersonal relationships, nutrition and near environmental needs of the elderly in maintaining personal independence.GERO 560 Ethics and Social Issues (3-0-3), fall, spring. An attempt to help students reach a higher critical and reflective consciousness of the relationship of ethics to professional and business decision making and problem solving. Same as SOCI 560.GERO 561 Nursing Facility Organization and Environmental Management (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of organizational and environmental management principles suggested by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with two of the seven academic domains specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: junior standing.GERO 562 Nursing Facility Financial and Personnel Management (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of financial personnel management principles required by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with approximately 33% of the academic material specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: GERO 461.GERO 563 Regulatory and Resident Management in a Nursing Facility (3-0-3), on demand. Gives the student knowledge of regulatory and resident care management suggested by the National Association of Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators. Completion will provide the student with approximately 33% of the academic material specified by the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Facility Administrators. Prerequisite: GERO 462.GERO 579 Programs and Services for Elderly (3-0-3), spring. Health care delivery system, aging networks, delivery of care, communication disorders in the elderly.GERO 586 Counseling Older Adults and Their Families (3-0-3) on demand. Examines the process of counseling older adults and their families regarding a variety of issues facing aging families. Utilization of a systemic framework will be fundamental in addressing a variety of presenting problems uniquely viewed in the context of aging. Theoretical frameworks are provided for assessing problems of the elderly as well as models for developing intervention strategies.GERO 615 Social Research (3-0-3). An application of the scientific method to the study of social phenomena; consideration of basic methods of data gathering, analysis and reporting, including basic statistics. Students experience organizing, conducting and evaluating research. Same as SOCI 615.GERO 631 Human Life Cycle II (3-0-3). Provides a thorough survey of the specified divisions of the life span from early adulthood, through middle adulthood and late adulthood to death. Same as PSYC 631.GERO 636 Seminar in Death and Dying (3-0-3). The theoretical and theological basis for the study of thanatology. Exposure to significant new literature in the discipline of death, dying and grief.GERO 637 Ministry with Older Adults (3-0-3). Course will cover demographics of the aging community, analyze programs for serving the older member and how to utilize the talents of mature church members. Same as BIBM 637.GERO 668 Housing the Older Client (3-0-3). This course will provide a thorough review of the literature, research and theory in the field of housing for the older client. Managerial aspects of the industry will focus upon providing a quality living environment at the best independent level care possible.GERO 685 Advanced Seminar in Gerontology (3-0-3), on demand. This course will lead the student to apply the theory, knowledge, and practice of gerontology toward a particular field or job area.GERO 690 Practicum in Gerontology (0-0-6)*. Supervised field placement of 150 to 300 hours.GERO 744 Management and Funding of Nonprofit Organizations (3-0-3), on demand. Designed to develop a working knowledge of the planning, allocation, and control processes of resources in a social service agency and procedures and techniques of developing and receiving grants and/or contract support and addressing methods of organizational change and community improvement as they relate to social services. Same as SOCW 744.GERO 745 Administration and Planning for Nonprofit Organizations (3-0-3), on demand. Will be directed toward the administration and planning process in social service organizations. The course will also help the students to assess service needs of a target population, to evaluate programs and to develop and implement viable alternatives within the agency structure. Same as SOCW 745.

Wildcat Video Minute

Join Craig Fisher, ACU director of alumni relations and annual projects, as he takes you on a tour of the renovations taking place at historic Bennett Gymnasium.